Method and apparatus for removing golf club grips

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing golf club grips. One end of the apparatus is connected to a fluid source and the other end to the golf grip. When the fluid source provides pressure and flow the grip expands (swells) away from the shaft and the grip moves longitudinally away from the shaft until the grip is removed.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the removal of grips from shafts such as golf clubs.

2. Description of Prior Art

Hand grips are used in a variety of applications to facilitate hand grasping rods or tubes. The grips on bicycle handle bars provide one example. Although there are many such applications to which this invention may apply, the field of this invention addresses the grips on golf clubs and the apparatus and method for removing these grips from the golf club shaft.

The golf shaft is generally a tapered tube of steel or reinforced plastic. A club head is attached to the small diameter end of the shaft. A grip is attached to the large diameter end of the shaft. Grips are installed on this large end of the shaft after that end has been prepped by a wrap of solvent activated double-sided adhesive tape or the like. After the solvent dries or otherwise dissipates the grip becomes permanently attached to the shaft.

After use (or misuse) the grip may become worn and need replacement. A golfer may decide to decrease (or increase) the length of the golf shaft which requires the removal of the grip. The removal of the grip is the essence of this invention.

The customary removal technique is to slit or cut the grip sufficiently to allow removal from the shaft. When the shaft is made from reinforced plastic this technique may damage the shaft. U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,646, Overby, utilizes a cutting wire that is positioned at the initial installation of the grip in such a way that if the cutting wire is properly pulled it slices the grip, allowing removal. In this case the grip is destroyed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,560, Paul, shows an apparatus and method of cutting a slit in the grip to facilitate removal. In this case the grip is destroyed. Most of the commonly used techniques using wires and blades subject the user to possible bodily harm. Most of the commonly used techniques subject reinforced plastic shafts to damage.

The present invention utilizes no such blades or wires and provides a simple and safe means of grip removal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the removal of a grip from a tube by using fluid pressure. Present day golf grips are typically made of synthetic rubber and fit snuggly around the large end of the golf shaft. The end of the grip at the large end of the shaft forms a pad that protects the end of the golf shaft. In all modern installed grips, this pad contains a small hole concentric with the grip and concentric with the shaft. The opposite end of the shaft is installed in the club head. Thus, an internal cavity is formed by the grip, the shaft and the head. This cavity is capable of receiving fluid under pressure. Under normal conditions fluid entering the hole in the pad end of the grip is confined within the internal cavity of the shaft, except for one escape route, that being the fit between the grip and the shaft. When the synthetic rubber grip is exposed to a certain internal pressure level, the grip tends to expand in a radial direction away from the shaft. This expansion propagates along the length of the grip and shaft until the fluid starts to escape at the end of the grip opposite the pad. Further entrance of fluid causes the grip to float longitudinally away from the shaft until the grip completely separates from the shaft. Thus the grip is removed from the shaft completely intact, without destroying the grip by cutting or slitting. The grip is therefore, reusable if desired.

While gas (such as air) or liquid (such as rubbing alcohol) can be used, water is the preferred fluid of choice because the pressure is easy to control, it is readily available, and it becomes a lubricant during the removal process.

Accordingly, an apparatus and method are provided that quickly, simply, and safely remove a grip from a shaft without destroying the grip and without damaging the shaft.

These advantages and further features will be better understood by referring to the drawings and descriptions that follow.

DRAWING FIGURES

The following description of drawings shows a particular embodiment but is not considered limiting in the scope of this invention.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show the gripped end of a shaft and an end view respectively.

FIG. 2 shows an expanded view of a removal apparatus with a fluid connector, a flexible tube and a grip connector.

FIG. 3 shows the removal apparatus connected to a fluid source and to the golf grip and shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A shows golf shaft 10 with a synthetic rubber grip 12 installed. FIG. 11B shows an end view of grip 12. Hole 14 passes through grip 12 and communicates with the interior of shaft 10.

FIG. 2 shows a removal apparatus 20. Fluid connector 22, with a central flow passage 24, contains barbs 26 that are inserted into flexible tube 28 providing adequate retention. Internally threaded nut 30 is suitable for connection to a fluid source. Grip connector 32, with a central flow passage 34, contains barbs 36 that are inserted into tube 28 providing adequate retention. Grip connector 32 contains a barb 38 suitable for insertion and retention in grip hole 14 (see FIG. 1). A rigid tube can be substituted for flexible tube 28, however, flexibility is preferred. Fluid connector 22 and grip connector 32 may be made from any suitable rigid material, such as plastic or metal.

In FIG. 3, fluid connector 22 of removal apparatus 20 is attached to a fluid source, such as a water faucet 40. Grip connector 32 is inserted into grip 12 though hole 14 (see FIG. 1).

Operation

When water faucet valve 42 is turned on, fluid, under pressure, flows to shaft 10 through water faucet 40, fluid connector 22, flexible tube 28, and grip connector 32. When pressure builds inside shaft 10, the mating surface between shaft 10 and grip 12 is subjected to this pressure and, grip 12 starts to expand in a radial direction (swell) away from shaft 10. The expansion propagates along the length of grip 12. Grip 12 begins to move away from shaft 10 longitudinally, and finally separation occurs between grip 12 and shaft 10.

CONCLUSION

This invention provides a unique apparatus and method over prior art for removal of a grip from a golf shaft. It provides these advantages:

-   -   The manufacturing costs are low     -   The skill level required for its use is low     -   The process is safe as there are no knifes or blades required         for its use     -   The removed grip is reusable     -   No damage will occur to the shaft     -   A choice of fluids can be used     -   The process and apparatus provide for fast removal of the grip;         and     -   The process is tidy since no debris is created during the grip         removal, such as pieces of shredded grip.

While the above description contains various specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiment illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. An apparatus for removing a grip from a shaft, comprising: a) a flexible tube, and b) a fluid connector inserted and secured in one end of said flexible tube, and c) a grip connector inserted and secured in the opposite end of said flexible tube, whereby, fluid passing through said fluid connector, said flexible tube, said grip connector, and into the mating surfaces of said grip and said shaft, causes said grip to expand in a radial direction, and move longitudinally away from said shaft, thereby removing said grip from said shaft.
 2. The method of removing a grip from a golf club comprising the steps of: a) connecting one end of a grip removal apparatus to a fluid source b) connecting the other end of a grip removal apparatus to said golf grip, and c) causing said fluid source to supply pressure and flow to said grip removal apparatus, whereby, fluid passing through said grip removal apparatus, and into the mating surfaces of said grip and said shaft, causes said grip to expand in a radial direction, and move longitudinally away from said shaft, thereby removing said grip from said shaft. 